Ohio teenager who had heart attack opens her eyes

A cheerleader who was placed in a medically-induced coma after having a heart attack has opened her eyes.

Emma Pfouts, from Ohio in the US, was at a homecoming dance at Norton High School when she suffered an asthma attack and an allergic reaction causing a cardiac arrest.

She was left non-responsive and fighting for life.

Her mother, Christina Weigand, shared an update on her daughter's incredible recovery. She says Emma opened her eyes and moved her hand and arm.

Now, for the first time in a long time, the family is hopeful of Emma making a full recovery.

The cheerleader suffered an asthma attack and allergic reaction. (Facebook)

Ms Weigand updated supporters via social media, saying: "Yesterday she not only moved her hand & arm, but she also shook her head from side to side as if to say no, don't give up on me, I'm still here fighting. We don't know what the future holds for Emma but she has proven she makes miracles happen time and time again."

Her mother has shared her daughter's incredible progress. (Facebook)

She included a video of her daughter's progress, saying: "I have NO WORDS, just tears of joy!! I just want to share this special moment with all of YOU because all of YOU MADE THIS HAPPEN WITH YOUR CONSTANT PRAYERS for our sweet Emma!!!!"

Ms Weigand says her daughter was a "lively cheerleader" before the incident and says she felt "helpless" seeing her daughter fighting for life.

Emma has asthma and food allergies to chicken and eggs. It isn't known what triggered her reaction.

"She had asthma and it was acting up on her and she also had an allergic reaction so the two combined just caused her to become unresponsive," Ms Weigand said.

Her stepfather Chris Weigand said: "We want her to wake up. We're hoping for her to wake up. We're praying for her to wake up but it's this lack of oxygen to the brain that is a big unknown."

The community has rallied around the family as they keep a vigil with Emma at Akron Children's Hospital. They have also launched fundraisers to help pay for medical expenses with the hashtag #EmmaStrong.